Matt has never been to Hex...I couldn't believe it! Since the
weather wasn't supposed to be the best, a trip to the east side of the
crest seemed in order. The motley crew was: SuzanneH, Barry, Gus (the
wonderdog), Carla, Elle, Izzy (cute border collie), Matt, SuzanneR, Tom,
Jasper (the snowpig), Barb, and me. Lots of arranging of cars at park
and ride lots before heading over I-90.

Weather improved as we headed over the crest. Good. We exited at the
Roslyn exit, through a couple of traffic circles, then through Roslyn
and Ronald, and then finally up the road. We parked right at the side of
the road, near the gate.

We started out without snowshoes because the snow was thin but even so,
it wasn't worth it. A few hundred feet up the road we dropped packs and
put snowshoes on. It was just easier. The road is partially melted out
in a couple of places but with snowshoes on we were able to walk around
the dirt patches...a few we just stomped across the bard dirt. The road
climbs steadily up. Just shy of two miles up the road is the summer
trailhead (elev 3467).

The trail stays on the high point of the SW ridge of Hex. It's treed at
first but then eventually opens up. I've done Hex several times and each
time this open spot on the ridge is windy. Real windy. Today was no
exception.

At the junction with the Sasse Mtn trail we headed right (SE) a short
distance to the high point of Hex (3.75mi, elev 5034'). The trail drops
a little bit, then heads back up. The summit is open and as
expected...it was windy. There were a couple of quick photos and then we
backtracked to the first saddle down below for a lunch break. Today was
the fourth birthday for my new knees so I brought brownies for the
group.

Eventually it was time to pack up. Instead of heading up the high point
where the trail junction was, we traversed on the south face a 50-60'
below the high point until we met up with the summer trail. Then it was
down, down, down to the road and a not so long soul sucking road walk
back to the car.